
The Urbanist
Monocle’s guide to better cities. Explore urban innovation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and compact living with insights from planners, architects, and city leaders.
Latest Episodes

Ukraine report: part one
We travel to Ukraine to listen to the stories of its people and witness a nation that truly embodies the word resilience. In part one of our report, we look at local government: running a city is challenging at the best of times, let alone during a war.

Negative space
We consider the empty space above the buildings in our cities and how best to utilise it. Plus: a look at London’s protected views.

The Elizabeth line
Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, hops on an eastbound Elizabeth-line train with industrial designer Julian Maynard for a tour of the newest addition to London’s transport network.

Legacies Series: Zaha Hadid
In the final part of our summer series uncovering the legacies of the biggest names in architecture, city planning and design, we focus on the late British-Iraqi architect, artist and designer Zaha Hadid.

Legacies series: Kenzō Tange
In part three of our summer series covering the legacies of the biggest names in architecture, city planning and design, we explore the influence of Japanese master architect Kenzō Tange.

Legacies series: Odilia Suárez
In part two of our summer series uncovering the legacies of the biggest names in architecture, city planning and design, we look at the pioneering work of Argentina’s Odilia Suárez.

Legacies series: Antoni Gaudí
In part one of our summer series uncovering the legacies of the biggest names in architecture, city planning and design, we take inspiration from Catalan icon Antoni Gaudí.

Festivals and cities
Not only do festivals bring culture and fun to urban areas but they can also be the driving force behind regeneration – or even grow to define a city.

Seeing cities from the sky
What can we learn from observing our cities from above? This week we take to the skies, as we talk to veteran British Airways long-haul pilot Mark Vanhoenacker about his new book, ‘Imagine a City’.

The Monocle Quality of Life Survey
We explore Monocle magazine’s annual Quality of Life Survey to find out what makes the winning cities tick.